President's Preamble

by Fiona Austin

(The Gender Centre advise that this article may not be current and as such certain content, including but not limited to persons, contact details and dates may not apply. Where legal authority or medical related matters are cited, responsibility lies with the reader to obtain the most current relevant legal authority and/or medical publication.)

Dear members of the extended transgender community, family, friends and interested supporters; after an "interesting" year at the Gender Centre, I am pleased to report that the recent A.G.M. was a well run and co-operative affair (although quite poorly attended which is a possible sign, if in itself disappointing, of more peaceful and productive times for the Gender Centre), the meeting concluded with some good open discussion and duly appointed both new and old management committee members, and thus the new year began for the current management committee.

Subsequently, we have had a number of meetings, largely concerned with consolidating what I refer to as the Renewed Gender Centre, a proposition I would support with the following points;

• Staff: We are more than happy to see a mixture of new and old faces, substantially transgendered, all now in secure appointments and committed to creating a more professional, progressive and above all approachable Gender Centre (You'd better be! Joke, maybe?). Well and capably led by Craig Skinner, our recently appointed Administration Manager; Welcome Back Craig!
• Resources: Following the needs assessment survey earlier in the year we have upgraded the previous part-time position of Resource Officer to that of a full-time Education and Resources Officer, capably filled by Elizabeth Riley. With such things afoot as new and upgraded resource kits, library facilities (containing for the first time a properly catalogued and coordinated resource of transgender relevant books, journals, videos etc.), Internet access and presence (by way of our own website currently in development, due probably in early-mid 1998); and an exciting development in the Gender Centre's capability to pro-actively present itself and our message of transgender presence, rights and engendering inclusion in the broader society by way of a Training Scheme for Employers and Government, which has been instituted and developed in-house by Elizabeth over this year. This is a major development in our capabilities. Well done Elizabeth. We will also be addressing many other resource issues and needs over the coming year. Any legal advice volunteers out there?
• In the broader picture we have or are about to undertake the following projects in support of you - the transgendered community (but more about you later ... )
• Improved H.I.V. prevention and support networks; major upgrade of the Centre's computer system; Mardi Gras Float, again thanks go to Amelia & Co.; regular general meetings for the community; F.T.M. Prosthesis Workshops - good work Sean!; increased Outreach services - good 'onya Phinn!; a more consistent and full social calendar - well done for recent and future events Sharon and all concerned; great food once again at the recent barbecue - thanks Josie; looking long term for inner east location for the resource centre; closer liaison with other relevant services; surgical information sessions; ,employment action; a third residential house and improved residential services - thanks for the continued good work Paula; a continually improving Polare (have a look as I did, at all your past issues and see the progression!) - keep it up Craig, George!; and a host of other events, projects and stuff - keep yourself up to date!
• The Management Committee, as President I may well be biased but, whilst individually far from perfect, I feel that the current team is cooperative, intelligent, experience, empathetic and well aware of transgender issues as well as open minded and not interested in pushing any particular ideological viewpoints; but in better outcomes for all, aided by the Gender Centre; and this applies even to the more stealth of you out there we fight for and help deliver the outcomes (e.g. Advocacy and training to many government departments and corporates on transgendered rights etc.) that will in some small way improve the lot of all of us.

I would like to now broach the subject of you (note: this should be taken as entirely my viewpoint - i.e. a personal statement and in no way reflects anyone else's opinion).

You lot (I include myself) - represent one of, if not the most discriminated against, ostracised, impoverished, disaffected and generally disadvantaged groups in modern Australian society. This is well known and talked of and even whinged about. However, I believe that the bottom line for all of us, is that whilst we must be aware of our rights, we also, everyone of us, have responsibility - primarily to ourselves, but also to our families, friends, workplace, community and broader society and country. And of course, for the well being of your planet via concern for your local environment.

No service the Gender Centre could provide will help if you aren't willing to take some responsibility - that is, to look after your own health (both mental and physical); to be reasonable and considerate to others; to participate; to make your life your responsibility; to be open and positive in your outlook; to suspend judgment of others and to be willing to learn. We can help but you must do the real work; I know plenty of trannies that have done these sorts of things despite the problems, and have moved on to happier and more complete lives.

The Final Choice is yours. Make it a good one - after all, the main effect is going to be a better life for yourself.

Polare is published in Australia by The Gender Centre Inc. which is funded by the Department of Community Services under the S.A.A.P. Program and supported by the N.S.W. Health Department through the AIDS and Infectious Diseases Branch. Polare provides a forum for discussion and debate on gender issues. Advertisers are advised that all advertising is their responsibility under the Trade Practices Act. Unsolicited contributions are welcome, though no guarantee is made by the Editor that they will be published, nor any discussion entered into. The editor reserves the right to edit such contributions without notification. Any submission which appears in Polare may be published on our internet site. Opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the Editor, The Gender Centre Inc.I, the Department of Community Services or the N.S.W. Department of Health.